TPD commander returns to work amidst abuse allegations

TUCSON- The head of the Tucson Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit is back on the job, after being off because he'd been served with an Order of Protection.

The Protection Order came from his former girlfriend, also a former Tucson Police Officer, Andrea Middleton. She claims Lt. Frank Greene had physically, verbally, and emotionally abused her. When Lt. Greene was served with the order, he was told to hand over his weapons.

Both Greene and Middleton were in front of Judge David Dingledine Thursday morning. He ordered Lt. Frank Greene can have his weapons back so he can go back to work and do his job, but only for a month.

Attorney Louie Fidel representing Lieutenant Greene says he is "very happy he can go back to work."

Greene was accused of threatening some of Middleton's family members in April. He took the stand Thursday testifying "That's absolutely a lie."

It was also brought out in court Thursday that the commander initiated an investigation against Andrea Middleton last November. She was placed on administrative leave. That investigation eventually led to an indictment against Middleton on three counts of computer tampering. She resigned.

Thursday Mike Storie, Middleton's attorney, questioned the Lieutenant. There was a discussion about evidence, and pictures that were shown to Greene's attorney. A recess was called, and a request was made to have the hearing continued. "We have evidence that will contradict certain claims made by the Lieutenant, and we want to give them a chance to see what we have."Greene's attorney agreed, saying they hadn't exchanged evidence.